The Origin of the Phrase
The phrase "Your mission, should you choose to accept itâ" was first used in the original Mission: Impossible television series, which ran from 1966 to 1973. The series followed the adventures of a team of secret agents who worked for the IMF, a fictional branch of the US government that specialized in covert operations. The leader of the team was usually Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, who received his instructions from a recorded message that self-destructed after playing. The message always began with "Good morning, Mr. Phelps" and ended with "Your mission, should you choose to accept itâ". The phrase implied that the missions were so dangerous and difficult that the agents had the option to decline them without any consequences. However, in most cases, the agents accepted their missions and proceeded to execute them with skill and cunning.
The Evolution of the Phrase
The phrase "Your mission, should you choose to accept itâ" became a trademark of the Mission: Impossible franchise, and was used in various forms and variations throughout its history. For example, in the 1988 revival series, which featured a new cast of characters, the phrase was changed to "Your mission, should you decide to accept itâ". In the 1996 film adaptation, which starred Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, a new agent who replaced Jim Phelps as the protagonist, the phrase was modified to "Your mission, should you choose to accept itâ As always, should you or any of your IM force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions". This added a sense of urgency and risk to the missions, as well as a hint of betrayal and corruption within the IMF. In the subsequent films, the phrase was further altered or omitted depending on the context and situation. For example, in the 2018 film Mission: Impossible â Fallout, Ethan Hunt received his mission from a book titled "The Odyssey" by Homer, which contained a hidden message that read "Your mission, should you choose to accept itâ What's done is done when we say it's done". This reflected the theme of fate and consequences that pervaded the film.
The Most Memorable Missions
Over the course of six decades, the Mission: Impossible franchise has delivered some of the most thrilling and spectacular missions ever seen on screen. Here are some of the most memorable ones:
The Langley Heist: In the 1996 film Mission: Impossible, Ethan Hunt and his team infiltrated the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, to steal a list of undercover agents from a highly secure vault. The heist involved hacking into security systems, bypassing laser sensors, and dangling from a cable in complete silence. It was one of the most tense and iconic scenes in the franchise.
The Burj Khalifa Climb: In the 2011 film Mission: Impossible â Ghost Protocol, Ethan Hunt and his team had to access a server room in the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, located in Dubai. To do so, Ethan Hunt had to climb up the exterior of the building using special gloves that adhered to the glass surface. However, one of his gloves malfunctioned halfway through, forcing him to improvise and use his bare hands. It was one of the most vertiginous and breathtaking scenes in the franchise.
The HALO Jump: In the 2018 film Mission: Impossible â Fallout, Ethan Hunt and his team had to intercept a nuclear weapons dealer in Paris. To do so, Ethan Hunt and his partner August Walker had to perform a HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) jump from a plane flying at 25,000 feet, and land on the roof of the Grand Palais. The jump involved wearing special suits and helmets, avoiding lightning storms, and deploying parachutes at the last moment. It was one of the most realistic and impressive scenes in the franchise, as it was performed by Tom Cruise himself without any stunt doubles or CGI.
These are just some of the examples of the amazing missions that have been featured in the Mission: Impossible franchise. Each one of them has showcased the creativity, courage, and charisma of the IMF agents, as well as the skill and dedication of the filmmakers and actors. The phrase "Your mission, should you choose to accept itâ" has become synonymous with excitement, adventure, and entertainment for millions of fans around the world.
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